Ductwork to Code | Goodbye Efficiency?

[@charlesrodriguez7984]

100% agree. An ‘easy’ way to retrofit these systems I think would to insulate/ air seal around ducts and HVAC if they “have” to be inside of the attic. A better way from the start is to have the AC inside the conditioned space and run ducts under the flooring up into the base of the walls or floors.

[@AddisonHomes]

Absolutely! In fact, above code building standards such as the US Department of Energy's Zero Energy Ready Home standard, requires that the ductwork (all but 10 linear feet) must be inside conditioned space!

[@charlesrodriguez7984]

@@AddisonHomes it’s even better if only the ducts are up there but in my opinion the air handler should always be inside the house.

[@ktmacgoo]

Amen, codes need to catch up with modern building materials and techniques. They are vague and as you point out allow for ducts to be installed choked off by strapping and is located in the most in efficient place. Love your out here trying to educate people in the Better ways to build! I think this begs for a video of the proper way to do it!

[@AddisonHomes]

Thanks for the great feedback! We are trying! More videos on the best practices to come!

[@kevinstenger4334]

One of my peeves also. With all the talk about saving the planet, green energy, electric vehicles, etc. you would think the lousy systems heating and cooling buildings would be a priority but it’s not. We get lots of rebate programs for minuscule gains in efficiency but mostly just funnel money to approved contractors to do the work. I bought a new house 6 years ago just outside Chattanooga that was enrolled in the TVA Energy Right program but I don’t know what was gained by it. I talked to the TVA inspectors and they said they were looking for things like sill seal, sealed penetrations, and insulation levels. I later discovered there wasn’t any sill seal or even a code required capillary break, lots of unsealed penetrations, inadequate insulation, a leaky air handler in the attic, etc.. I re-routed all of the flex duct eliminating all of the ups and downs and sharp turns, installed metal elbows where turns were necessary, sealed up the cabinet for the air handler, insulated the air handler with rockwool, air sealed the entire attic floor and walls of taller rooms that were in the attic, and finally with all the ductwork now on the attic floor I buried everything by blowing in cellulose to R-60. I also sealed all the sills and insulated the rims and basement walls when I finished the basement.

[@AddisonHomes]

In my opinion, the HVAC system and ductwork represents one of the most impactful systems in the home with relation to air quality, comfort, and energy efficiency. Hard to get consumers to understand this since its all out of site, out of mind after completion! That's why we just include it instead of making it an option.

[@guitar911rock]

SO whats the alternative?

[@AddisonHomes]

Great question. The best alternative is to keep the ductwork inside the conditioned envelope of the home. High performance building standards such as the US Dept of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home standard actually require this. Check out our video on ductwork between floors of a basement home. The alterantives that we utilize are: - Ductless HVAC systems - these eliminate the need for ductwork but do have some limitations with air distribution in high performance homes. - Ductwork and HVAC equipment inside a conditioned crawlspace foundation. For a two story home on crawlspace, ducts in a chase up to the floor system between the first and second floors. - Ductwork and HVAC equipment inside a conditioned basement foundation. Chase up to the floor system between upper floors. - Slab foundations present the biggest challenge. For slab foundations we typically build a conditioned room in the vented attic for the HVAC equipment and insulated chases for the ducts to run through. DOE also provides an alternative by installing the insulated ducts on the "floor" of the attic space, encapsulating them in closed cell spray foam, and covering them with blown insulation. - HVAC ductwork can also be installed in encapsulated, insulated attics. One of the most common method for insulating attic spaces is spray foam. We are not fans of spray foam on the roof deck as it doesn't provide the level of resiliency that we desire in our homes. More to come on this in future videos.....

[@nonamuss9991]

Would be great to put this reply of yours in the description section. On here looking for solutions and video just describes the problems. Not a fan of spray foam. Soon to do a remodel on a lake … they’ve elevated flood lines since I purchased so now I’m in a flood zone. No basement or conditioned crawl space possible due to flood zone but don’t want spray foam necessary for conditioned attic. 🤷🏻‍♀️